Hinged-seat platform for sofa-bed

ABSTRACT

The sofa-bed has a hinged, cushioned seat platform which provides a soft support for the seat cushions when the sofa-bed is used as a sofa, and which swings to an upright position to form a headboard for the bed when it is unfolded. The hinge structure permits the pivot point of the platform to rise and fall when people get up from or sit down on the sofa cushions.

United States Patent Barabas [451 Apr.1l, 1972 [54] HINGED-SEAT PLATFORM FOR SOFA- BED [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

John J. Barabas, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Castro Convertibles Corporation, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

l22| Filed: Mar. 10, 1969 l2l| AppI.No.: 805,774

[52] U.S. CI ..5/13, 5/53 B [51] Int. Cl. ...A47c 17/14, A47c 17/22 [58] FieldofSearch ..5/13, I4,18,28,3I-5I,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,485,219 10/1949 Shumsky ..5/13

3,296,632 1/1967 Hoffman, Jr ..5/13

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 418,578 2/1947 Italy ..5/31

Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Att0meyCurtis, Morris and Safford ABSTRACT The sofa-bed has a hinged, cushioned seat platform which provides a soft support for the seat cushions when the sofa-bed is used as a sofa, and which swings to an upright position to form a headboard for the bed when it is unfolded. The hinge structure permits the pivot point of the platform to rise and fail when people get up from or sit down on the sofa cushions.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 11 m2 3. 654,642

SHEET 1 UP 3 INVENTORI J HN J fiARAH/IS ATTORNE S.

PATE NJTEIJAPR 1 1 I972 INVENTOR. JOHN J 54164845 BY M m dw ATTORN S HINGED-SEAT PLATFORM FOR SOFA-BED This invention relates to convertible sofa-beds, and particularly to platforms for supporting the seat cushions of the sofa.

A recurrent problem in sofa-beds is that when the bed is folded and stored inside the sofa frame, and the sofa seat cushions are placed on top of the folded bed, the angular metal parts of the bed mechanism often can be felt by someone sitting on the sofa. This makes sitting on the sofa uncomfortable. Sofa-beds with protectors between the sofa cushions and the bed mechanism have been proposed in the past. However, storage of protectors when not in use has posed a further problem.

An object of the present invention is to solve the foregoing problems and provide a comfortable, easy-to-use and easily stored seat platform for sofa-beds.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved by the provision of a hinged platform which, when in its lower position, acts as a seat platform. When the seat platform is pivoted to its raised position, the storage problem is neatly solved by using the platform as the headboard for the bed, thus providing for use of the same structure for two different purposes. The hinge structure for the seat platform is constructed so that the pivot point of the seat platform is free to rise or fall as a person gets up from or sits down on the sofa.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in or apparent from the following description and drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sofa-bed constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away view of the sofa-bed shown in FIG. 2, with the bed unfolded and the seat platform in its upright position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 and showing the seat platform in its upright position;

FIG. 4 is a view like that of FIG. 3, but with the seat platform in its lowermost position; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the sofa-bed includes an upholstered frame having a back and arms 13 with removable seat cushions l2 and back cushions 14. Beneath the seat cushions 12 is a cushioned seat platform 74. The seat platform 74 separates the seat cushions 12 from the metal parts of the bed mechanism which are located directly below the seat platform 74.

When it is desired to use the sofa-bed 10 as a bed instead of a sofa, the seat cushions 12 are removed, and, if the back cushions 14 are removable, they also are removed. Now referring to FIG. 2, the seat platform 74 is hinged at its rear comers and can be lifted up at its forward edge to the upright position shown in FIG. 2. Then, the bed mechanism stored beneath the seat platform is lifted and swung out of the sofa-bed frame until it is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2. When the bed is in this position, the seat platform 74 is positioned adjacent to the head of the bed so that it serves as a comfortably padded headboard for the bed. Thus, the platform need not be stored separately and apart from the bed, and performs a useful function when not being used as a seat platform.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the bed portion of the sofa-bed, indicated generally at 16, includes a metal frame 18 which supports a spring-mounted wire mesh 20 which, in turn, supports a mattress 22. 'A portion of canvas material 21 forms a portion of the mattress support structure at the outermost end or foot of the bed.

The mattress frame 18 is divided longitudinally into four different sections, an outermost or foot section 28, a linking section 30, and intermediate section 32 and a head or innermost section 34. At opposite sides of the bed are bed-folding mechanisms which perform the function of supporting the bed in its sleeping position and guiding it into folded position for storage in the sofa-bed frame. Each bed-folding mechanism is the mirror image of the other, so that only one such mechanism will be described.

Each bed-folding mechanism includes a forward linkage portion indicated generally at 24, and a rear linkage portion indicated generally at 26. The forward linkage portion includes a front leg 36 and an intermediate leg 40 pivotably connected together by means of a connecting member 38. Rollers 37 and 39 are connected to the ends of legs 40 and 36, respectively, in order to prevent scuffing of the floor or carpet on which the sofa-bed sits as the mechanism is being unfolded and folded. The upper end of leg 36 is pivotably connected to the forward portion of section 28 of the frame 18. The upper end of leg 40 is secured to a cam plate 42 which is pivotably connected to a pusher link 50 which forms a part of the rear linkage 26. A locking projection 44 fits into an indentation in the cam plate 42 to lock the bed in its open position. A tab 48 projects outwardly from the cam plate to abut against the connecting member 38 when the bed is folded up. A cross-support member 46 extends between opposite bed-folding mechanisms to give the bed lateral support.

The forward linkage just described operates to aid in folding and supporting the bed substantially in the manner described in 1.1.8. Pat. No. 3,284,812 to P. Koch, and will not be further described herein.

An elongated plate 45 extends between two brackets 43 on opposite sides of the bed. The brackets 43 are pivoted to the foot section of the frame 18 at pivot point 47. A link 41 is pivotably connected between the upper end of the plate 43 and the connecting section 30 of the frame 18. When the sofabed is completely folded, the plate swings into a position on top of the front edge of the folded-up bed and prevents the seat cushions from being pressed downwardly between the front board of the sofa frame and the folded bed mechanism. This feature is optional and need not be used unless desired. In any event, the link 41 causes the plate 45 to swing downwardly and away from the mattress support 20 so that the person sleeping on the bed will not feel the sharp edges of the plate.

The rear linkage 26 includes a mounting bracket 56 which is secured to the side of the sofa frame by means of screws or bolts. The rear or head portion of the bed is supported in the open position by means of a front support member 52 which is pivotably connected to the pusher link 50 at point 55, and to the bracket 56 at point 54. Conventional springs 57 are attached to the member 52 to provide a spring force which aids in opening and closing the sofa-bed, as is well known in the prior art. Also, referring to FIG. 5 as well as FIG. 2, the rear or head portion of the bed is supported by means of a rear link 70 which is pivotably connected at 72 to the mounting bracket 56, and is pivotably connected at 75 to a swing link 66 and another link 60. A further link 71 is pivotably connected to rear link 70 at point 73, and is connected to the lower portion of the curved end of the pusher link 50 at point 64. Link 60 is pivotably connected to link 50 at point 62. Link 50 is pivotably connected at point 58 to the rear frame section 34 by means of an upstanding tab 53. Swing link 66 is pivotably connected at point 68 to a downwardly extending tab 67 which is secured to frame member 34.

Referring now to FIG. 3 as well as FIGS. 2 and 5, the rear linkage, including swing link 66 and the other links, operates to guide the sofa-bed mechanism in a relatively low trajectory so that it easily passes beneath the back-rest board 96 of the sofa frame. The back-rest board 96 extends to a relatively low position in order to facilitate the use of the loose backcushions 14 shown in FIG. 1. If the board 96 is not relatively low, the lower edges of the back-cushions will be forced under the lower edge of the board 96, and this will result in undesirable wear of the cushions and will detract from the appearance of the sofa. The position of the links of the rear linkage 26 when the bed is fully folded is shown in FIG. 3.

Referring again to FIG. 2, as well as to FIGS. 3 and 4, the seat platform 74 includes a tubular metal frame 76 to which is secured an L-shaped front edge plate 78. A cushion 80,

preferably of foam rubber or the like, fills the space between the sides of the frame 76. A canvas and decorative fabric covering 82 holds the cushion and the frame together in a unit, and also makes an attractive headboard construction.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 2, the hinge structure for the seat platform includes a pair of links 86 and 88 and pivotably secured to the frame 76 of the seat platform, and to the mounting bracket 56. As is shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the longer of the two links, link 86, is pivotably connected at 81 to the frame 76, and is pivotably connected at 85 to an upstanding tab 84 which is secured to the mounting bracket 56. The shorter link 88 is pivotably connected to the bracket at point 89 which is horizontally spaced from the point 85 at which link 86 is pivoted to the bracket. The upper end of link 88 is pivotably connected to the lower end of the frame 76 at a point 83 which is spaced from the point 81. An L-shaped tab 90 is secured to the rear link 70 at a position behind the rear link 88 of the hinge construction for the seat platform. Thus, when the seat platform is in its upright position, as is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the tab 90 extends to a position behind the link 88 so as to block its rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. Because of the link 86, the seat platform cannot fold downwardly unless the link 88 is free to rotate counterclockwise. This prevents the seat platform from falling forward onto the bed. Thus, the combination of the hinge construction and the tab 90 provide a lock structure which locks the seat platform in its upright position.

When the bed has been folded, the link 70 swings rearwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This moves the lock tab at 90 away from the link 88 and permits the seat platform 74 to be folded down into the position shown in FIG. 4.

The hinge linkage structure described above allows the pivot point of the hinge to move down or up when persons sit down on or rise from the sofa. The links 86 and 88 simply swing about their pivot points on the mounting bracket 56, thus moving the pivot point for the seat platform 74 upwardly and downwardly. Thus, there is little strain on the seat platform and an extremely soft seat is provided.

The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art and these can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said platform being positioned at the head of the unfolded bed and forming a headboard for said bed when said platform is in its upright position, a mechanism for folding and unfolding the bed of said sofa-bed, said mechanism having at least one link which swings into the frame of said sofa-bed when said bed is being folded, and locking means positioned on said link so as to be positioned to lock said seat platform in said upright position when said bed is unfolded.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said hinge means is positioned adjacent the backrest of said sofa-bed and at one edge of said seat platform.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said seat platform has a frame with cushioning material on both its upper and lower surfaces.

4. In a convertible sofa-bed having a bed-folding mechanism which swings into and out of the frame of said sofa-bed, a seat platform for supporting the seat cushions of said sofa-bed, means for mounting said seat platform in said frame so that said seat platform is pivotable between a cushion-supporting position and an upright position to form a bed headboard, locking means on said bed-folding mechanism and positioned adjacent said mounting means when said seat platform is in its upright position for locking said seat platform in said upright position said locking means being secured to a portion of said ed-foldmg mechanism which swings away from said seat platform when said bed is being folded.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 in which the portion of said bedfolding mechanism to which said locking means is secured is the rear swing-link.

6. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwards when said platform is pressed downwardly.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which said hinge mechanism includes at least one link pivotably connected between the frame of said sofa-bed and said seat platform.

8. In a convertible sofa-bed having a bed-folding mechanism which swings into and out of the frame of said sofa-bed, a seat platform for supporting the seat cushions of said sofa-bed, means for mounting said seat platform in said frame so that said seat platform is pivotable between a cushion-supporting position and an upright position, locking means on said bedfolding mechanism and positioned adjacent said mounting means when said seat platform is in its upright position for locking said seat platform in said upright position, said locking means being secured to a portion of said bed-folding mechanism which swings away from said seat platform when said bed is being folded, said mounting means comprising two pairs of links, one at each side of said platform, said platform including a frame with cushioning forming a substantially flat platform, each of the links in each pair of links being pivotably connected between said platform frame and said sofa frame at spaced-apart points, said locking means comprising a projection positioned to prevent one of said links from swinging about its sofa frame pivot point when said bed is unfolded.

9. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwards when said platform is pressed downwardly, said hinge mechanism including at least one link pivotably connected between the frame of said sofa-bed and said seat platform, and another link pivotably connected to said seat platform at a point separated from the point at which the first link is connected, and pivotably connected to said frame at a point horizontally separated from the point at which the first link is connected to said frame.

10. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwardly when said platform is pressed downwardly, said hinge mechanism including two links, one at each corner of said platform, mounting brackets at opposite ends of the frame of said sofabed, each link being connected between one of said brackets and said seat platform, said platform constituting a substantially flat cushion panel.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 including a bed-folding mechanism having at least one link which swings into said frame during folding of the bed and swings to a position adjacent said seat platform when said bed is unfolded, and a projection on said bed-folding link, said projection extending adjacent one of said links of said hinge mechanism to block its movement and prevent said seat platform from falling from its upright position. 

1. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a sUbstantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said platform being positioned at the head of the unfolded bed and forming a headboard for said bed when said platform is in its upright position, a mechanism for folding and unfolding the bed of said sofa-bed, said mechanism having at least one link which swings into the frame of said sofa-bed when said bed is being folded, and locking means positioned on said link so as to be positioned to lock said seat platform in said upright position when said bed is unfolded.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said hinge means is positioned adjacent the backrest of said sofa-bed and at one edge of said seat platform.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said seat platform has a frame with cushioning material on both its upper and lower surfaces.
 4. In a convertible sofa-bed having a bed-folding mechanism which swings into and out of the frame of said sofa-bed, a seat platform for supporting the seat cushions of said sofa-bed, means for mounting said seat platform in said frame so that said seat platform is pivotable between a cushion-supporting position and an upright position to form a bed headboard, locking means on said bed-folding mechanism and positioned adjacent said mounting means when said seat platform is in its upright position for locking said seat platform in said upright position, said locking means being secured to a portion of said bed-folding mechanism which swings away from said seat platform when said bed is being folded.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 in which the portion of said bed-folding mechanism to which said locking means is secured is the rear swing-link.
 6. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwards when said platform is pressed downwardly.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 in which said hinge mechanism includes at least one link pivotably connected between the frame of said sofa-bed and said seat platform.
 8. In a convertible sofa-bed having a bed-folding mechanism which swings into and out of the frame of said sofa-bed, a seat platform for supporting the seat cushions of said sofa-bed, means for mounting said seat platform in said frame so that said seat platform is pivotable between a cushion-supporting position and an upright position, locking means on said bed-folding mechanism and positioned adjacent said mounting means when said seat platform is in its upright position for locking said seat platform in said upright position, said locking means being secured to a portion of said bed-folding mechanism which swings away from said seat platform when said bed is being folded, said mounting means comprising two pairs of links, one at each side of said platform, said platform including a frame with cushioning forming a substantially flat platform, each of the links in each pair of links being pivotably connected between said platform frame and said sofa frame at spaced-apart points, said locking means comprising a projection positioned to prevent one of said links from swinging about its sofa frame pivot point when said bed is unfolded.
 9. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwards when said platform is pressed downwardly, said hinge mechanism including at least one link pivotably connected between the frAme of said sofa-bed and said seat platform, and another link pivotably connected to said seat platform at a point separated from the point at which the first link is connected, and pivotably connected to said frame at a point horizontally separated from the point at which the first link is connected to said frame.
 10. In a convertible sofa-bed, a seat platform to support the seat cushions of the sofa portion of said sofa-bed, a hinge mechanism for mounting said seat platform in said sofa-bed so as to be pivotable between a substantially upright position and a lower position in which said platform supports said seat cushions, said hinge mechanism including means for allowing the pivot point of said seat platform to shift downwardly when said platform is pressed downwardly, said hinge mechanism including two links, one at each corner of said platform, mounting brackets at opposite ends of the frame of said sofa-bed, each link being connected between one of said brackets and said seat platform, said platform constituting a substantially flat cushion panel.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 9 including a bed-folding mechanism having at least one link which swings into said frame during folding of the bed and swings to a position adjacent said seat platform when said bed is unfolded, and a projection on said bed-folding link, said projection extending adjacent one of said links of said hinge mechanism to block its movement and prevent said seat platform from falling from its upright position. 